Making it in Montana-UM production highlights small businesses that have succeeded

The latest edition of a Montana PBS
program that showcases Montana
businesses is meant to prove a point,
says one of its producers: Despite
the rugged economy, Montana can
sustain small local businesses.

By TARA DOWD of the Missoulia

"A lot of people think that the
economy sucks, that no on can
survive," said Jenny Kuglin, a
University of Montana student who
helped produce "Business: Made in
Montana."

"This video is supposed to show that
people cans survive and own the
business."

Juniors in the Radio-Television Department in the University of Montana’s School of Journalism create
the program in a spring semester class. UM Professor Denise Dowling, who oversees the production,
gives this edition a rave review.

"It’s outstanding," Dowling said. "They did a fabulous job."

Missoula’s The Lost Woodsmen Gallery, which sells the artwork of owner Rick Rowley, is one of the
businesses featured in the program.

Walking into the gallery is like walking into an enclosed forest. Wooden faces of cowboys, American
Indians and gnomes greet each customer as they travel through the door. Rowley carves the faces,
bodies and bears from trees native to Montana and then he paints them. The artist in Rowley doesn’t
stop there: On the walls above the carvings are paintings and drawings of Montana scenery and
wildlife.

"It is rewarding to see something come alive from a dead piece of wood," Rowley said. "My favorite
part would have to be materializing one’s imagination."

Rowley has another store in Great Falls and he hopes to open another somewhere in the state next
year. He also has national and international accounts that buy his work in wholesale.

Kuglin said she had a great time reporting on the Lost Woodsmen.

"I loved that he wanted to stay in Montana because this is where he gets his wood and his
inspiration," she said.

And the story of the Lost Woodsmen underlines the purpose of the "Made in Montana" series, she
added.

"We choose to do this to feature Montana businesses, who stay in Montana and employ people in
Montana, to prove that businesses can survive in Montana," she said.

Artistic Impressions in Corvallis, which specializes in porcelain jewelry and souvenirs, was featured in
the program two years ago. Although it didn’t have much impact on the amount of business it
received, it did create awareness.

"It informed local people that we exist because a lot of people don’t even know that we do," said
general manager Kip Zsupnik.

Another business featured in the August program is Boworks in Hamilton. Boworks makes long bows
by hand. Archers from around the world buy them because of the individual attention each
custom-made bow receives.

Other businesses that will be featured in this edition include Clays in Calico in Cardwell, West Paw
Design in Bozeman and PFM Manufacturing in Townsend.

On the air

‘Business: Made in Montana’ airs in two parts on Montana PBS. The first part shows on Thursday,
Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. and repeats at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 4. The second part airs at 7 p.m. Thursday,
Aug. 15 and repeats at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18.

http://missoulian.com/display/inn_business/biz01.txt